Tomi Lala
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has declared his administration’s support for the investment drive of Odu’a Investment Company Limited (OICL), particularly in the sectors of mining and agriculture, describing his government as “the true progressives”
The Governor made the declaration on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the Board and Management of OICL to the Governor’s Office in Osogbo, the state capital.
Adeleke also reaffirmed the State’s readiness to deepen collaboration with the conglomerate and reposition the state for greater equity participation in the regional business enterprise.
He said, “Oodua group is a legacy corporation which reminds us of innovation in state leadership. Anytime I read of all the achievements of our first republic leadership, I am challenged as a Governor to do more for my state.
“The late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his crop of administrators of those days are legendary figures. They are men and women who saw the future and attempted to create the future in the present. They are my inspiration especially as my family has strong roots in the Awoist philosophy.
“The inspiration of Awoism is a strong motivation for me as a Governor. That was the reason why under two years, we implemented far reaching developmental programmes. We are as ambitious as the Awoist cabinet of the First republic. Hence, we are building flyovers, dualising roads and upgrading schools, health facilities and water schemes all over the state.
“We venture into areas our critics see as impossible terrains. We launched multi-billion naira infrastructure programmes even as we are paying billions of naira in unpaid pensions and salary debt. We emphasize workers’ welfare and enrol retirees and pensioners in a free health insurance scheme.
“When you are talking of progressive politics, don’t look any further. We are the true progressives. We are building people and society. We are the true definition of pro-people leadership as we attend to the direct and the immediate needs of the people.” He reiterated.
“We are the true progressives. We are building people and society,” Adeleke said. “We venture into areas critics consider impossible. We are not only investing in infrastructure but also emphasizing the welfare of our workers and pensioners.”
Earlier In his remarks, the Group Chairman of OICL, Otunba ‘Bimbo Ashiru, commended Governor Adeleke’s leadership while highlighting Osun State’s vast potential in solid minerals and agriculture.
He, however appealed for government support in granting access to mining licenses and agricultural land banks, noting that the recently established SouthWest Resources Limited (SWRL) and South West Agriculture Company (SWAgCo) are poised to invest in the state’s untapped resources
“We are here today to reaffirm our strong partnership with the Government and people of Osun State and to seek deeper collaboration in two critical sectors that are vital to both the State’s and the region’s development agenda:
“In Mining, Your Excellency, Odu’a Investment is strategically positioned to unlock the vast solid mineral potentials within Osun State. To actualize our planned investments, we have recently incorporated a Special Purpose Company, SouthWest Resources Limited (SWRL) and we require the gracious intervention of Your Excellency in facilitating access to mining licenses, consents, and the necessary government support. We believe that with your backing, we can catalyze responsible mining operations that will not only generate significant revenue for the State but also create meaningful employment opportunities for our people, while ensuring strict adherence to environmental and social standards.
“In Agriculture, Your Excellency, we recognize Osun State’s rich agrarian potential. OICL is keen to drive commercial agricultural initiatives through strategic investments in value-chain developments, ranging from crop production to processing and export. To this end, we humbly seek Your Excellency’s support in the allocation of portions of the State’s agricultural land bank for use by Odua’s agribusiness ventures. We envision projects that will boost food security, promote agro-industrialization, empower local farmers, and significantly contribute to rural development.
“Our South West Agriculture Company Limited (SWAgCo) is the agribusiness investment vehicle of OICL with the strategic focus of establishing agro-industrial hubs across the entire South-West Nigeria thereby facilitating agro-industrialization and contributing to food security. It would interest your Excellency to note that our agriculture company currently has under management a total agricultural landbank of about 30,000 hectares belonging to OICL across Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo and Oyo States. We would like to have agricultural landbank also in Osun State.
“We are convinced that a stronger partnership with the Government of Osun State will fast-track the realization of mutual development goals. Odu’a Investment brings to the table a legacy of successful investments, professional management, and a deep-rooted commitment to regional economic transformation.” He added
